History

During a patrol to Shelob's Lair, Shagrat's company encountered a troop of Orcs from Minas Morgul led by Gorbag. The two did not get along, but before things escalated, they noted something out of place: a strange small creature, all wound up in Shelob's webs. The discovery of what appeared to be an undersized Elf led the two commanders to compare their notes; they concluded that there must have been another nearby. But they could not find this "great Elf warrior".

Turmoil rose again amongst the group when Gorbag and Shagrat disagreed with what they had to do with the prisoner. Shagrat's orders from above were simple; all personal effects were to be sent to Barad-dûr. Shagrat did not trust many of his own troops, and none of orbags, so he locked up the prisoner in the top chamber of the Tower of Cirith Ungol.[1]

Gorbag coveted the Mithril shirt Frodo wore, and attempted to usurp Shagrat's rule. Though he was larger than his adversary, Gorbag lost to Shagrat's superior numbers. Soon, Gorbag's faction was pressed back. Shagrat eventually killed Gorbag, and ran off to Sauron with the prisoner's belongings.[2] He did not reach Barad-dûr until four days later; Sauron killed him after he delivered the news of intruders.[3]